This marble sculpture is from the late 5th century BC, presumed to be fashioned in the Hellenistic style that typified that era. The statue stands at roughly 1.7 meters in height, imitating life-size proportion, and exhibits fine detailing.
Represented is a female figure, generally believed to portray a young maiden from ancient Greece based on its artistic rendering. The figure is caught mid-action, possibly indicating a rush or escape. The body's tensed architecture stands in contrast with the serene carving of the face, offering multiple potential readings of the piece.
The statue's clothing—a typical Greek 'chiton'—is accurately depicted, including its characteristic pleats and draping. This faithful representation serves to enhance the authenticity of the piece. The way the fabric follows the body in select areas allows the underlying form to be discerned, a common technique in Hellenistic sculpture, emphasizing the subtlety of the human anatomy.
The figure's facial countenance, characterized by a clenched jaw, slightly open lips, and wide eyes, suggests a sense of unrest or emergency, contrasting with the overall peaceful representation. The precision of facial details, such as the eyebrows' arc and the careful rendering of hair, contribute to a highly realistic portrayal.
The absence of the figure's arms—thought by some to have originally held a votive offering—does not diminish the overall aesthetic effect or the sense of motion conveyed by the statue.
Believed to possibly have been part of various rituals, given the statue's origin, this artifact underscores the significant role of maidens in Greek religious customs, particularly those related to the Eleusinian Mysteries. The specific identity of the depicted figure and the event it represents, however, remain open-ended, with various hypotheses postulated by historians.
